EA Launches 'Hostile' Bid for GTA Publisher

Games news sites are reporting that EA has issued a new offering to Take-Two's shareholders in an attempt to purchase the company outright. Last month EA offered some $2 billion to Take-Two in an effort to accomplish the same goal. Take-Two declined, and EA took their offer public. Now, Electronic Arts is offering the price of some $26 per share to Take-Two's holders, a generous valuation. "Within ten business days Take-Two is required by law to publish, send or give to shareholders (and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission), a statement as to whether it recommends acceptance or rejection of the latest offer ... Since EA launched its February bid Take-Two said that other parties had approached it regarding a merger, but that it hadn't entered into negotiations with other companies about a deal."

If this goes through..

[kvezach]

Cue GTA 2009. .. and GTA 2010, GTA 2011, GTA 2012, GTA 2013...

Re:If this goes through..

[FredFredrickson]

Due to the fact that those games are already hot sellers, I'd say they were already pretty much guaranteed up through GTA 2013.

That's gotta hurt!

[SoundGuyNoise]

I'd love to hear John Madden do color commentary over GTA.

Oh boy!

[acehole]

I just can't wait for GTA: Livin' Large, GTA: Hot Date, GTA: Makin Magic and GTA: Vacation.

Re:I'm no big fan of Take-Two

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh, there's plenty of EA related penny arcade material:

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/11/15 [penny-arcade.com]

cue the jokes

[Speare]

I'm expecting plenty of jokes about EA paying the fee, taking Take Two for a "ride," robbing Take Two of all its money and professional services, then firing a cap into the business before driving off.

Take Two Responds

[JeanBaptiste]

R1, R2, L1, R2, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Up, GTFO.

Surrender.

[SpaceDreamer]

You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

Re:If this goes through..

[Anonymous Coward]

Each with identical gameplay, but updated stats on all your favorite drug dealers and prostitutes.

Re:cue the jokes

[esocid]

I think they would be more along the lines of:

1. EA picking up TT, pulling into a secluded area (cue squeaking suspension).
2. Run them over for all the money they just paid TT.
3. Profit!!

Re:I'm no big fan of Take-Two

[sesshomaru]

My favorite:

Cut Yourself [penny-arcade.com]

Re:That's gotta hurt!

[Anonymous Coward]

I'h-I'h-If he steals that car.... it's a felony.

Re:Oh boy!

[poetmatt]

What about GTA: Hot Coffee?

Oh wait.....

Re:Nice timing

[PC and Sony Fanboy]

Prediction: EA will own the firm by the release of GTA4.

My Prediction: EA will NOT own the firm by the release of GTA4.

well... one of us will win ;)